A new season means new materials and patterns which, when combined with stylish timeless pieces, will easily help update your home for 2019's new opulent looks.

Image courtesy of Habitat

​Artisanal Pieces

Image Courtesy of Noemarin on Etsy

The move away from globalisation and towards unique pieces with a story continues apace, and your home should be no different.

If you look around you, those momentos you picked up in a local market or chatted with the artist who handmade a piece especially for you? They're the ones you treasure most aren't they? Do you know why?

Because you have a connection with their provenance, you associate great memories with them - and the best bit? You MADE THAT ARTIST'S DAY by choosing to buy something from their creative mind! ​A concept or design that they developed, then created with love (and a fair amount of skill). Then you came along and verified that they had done the right thing by choosing to buy their pieces :o)

As a small creative business owner, I can't emphasise enough how much that means (although a glowing review helps to warm the heart that bit further - don't ever forget to review your purchases online, it makes the world of difference for future sales!)

Artisanal pieces help to add personality to your home, memories to your home and talking points to your home. Like adding natural elements they help to anchor and create a cosy habitat in a tech dominated world.​

​Natural Elements

Image courtesy of Vintedgemodern at Etsy

The move away from stark tech dominated living spaces is encouraging more use of natural and organic materials which bring a more homely and inviting vibe. Natural materials such as wooden floors, stone elements and an emphasis on indoor planting (also known as the jungalow look) helps to remind us we do not have to be overshadowed by technology.

Image courtesy of Habitat

Many photo shoots that I've been involved with recently incoporate natural materials such as stone/concrete (prepare to see more of this in kitchens) paired with copper pieces.

Rose gold has evolved into copper and brass accents, which link well with the popular terracotta trend. These are mainly softened with natural fabrics such as linen, sheepskin rugs and, of course, knitted woollen throws.

​Velvet Fabrics

Image courtesy of Artisanti

To contrast with the harsh feel of concrete and copper, velvet is seeing a resurgence. These aren't the wing back chairs you see in old people's homes - although in the right environment they would look pretty cool too!​Velvet sofas are popping up all over instagram as decor moves towards a more luxe look.

​Pattern

Image courtesy of Artisanti

Look back over home magazines from 5 years ago and most stylists were all about Scandi plain colours and texture.

As I mentioned before, the 1970's luxe look is becoming more popular with darker, richer colour palettes combining more intricate natural patterns such as foliage, florals or birdlife, although geometric tiling is still very popular in bathroom and kitchen tiling.

These can be a little overwhelming so I would recommend using them in small less used spaces where they offer a surprise for your visitors, such as downstairs bathrooms or en suites.

An easy way to incorporate it into a larger space, rather than paper a whole wall is simply to add a piece of 'maximalist art'! Individual colours can then be highlighted through your use of accessories.

​Millenial pink and burnt/mustard yellow are still two of the popular go to colours for accessories which work well when highlighted against dark blue or sea green walls.​Think James Bond villain hideaway and you can't go far wrong!